Commercial Truck Drivers and Ineligible Medical Conditions

By Steve Charpentier on March 04, 2019

Commercial vehicles are larger and heavier than nearly every other automobile on the road. Due in large part to their size, truck accidents are one of the most damaging types of automobile crashes. Truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries and significant financial losses. A well-maintained vehicle can decrease the risk of a truck accident, but ultimately, it is the drivers that are most responsible for preventing a collision.

It takes special skills and training to operate a commercial vehicle safely. But in addition to skill and training, a truck driver must be healthy enough to meet the demands of the job. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict medical regulations regarding commercial driver qualifications.

The experienced truck accident attorneys at Charpentier Law Firm can discuss commercial truck drivers and ineligible medical conditions with our Melbourne, FL clients following a truck accident to determine if any of these issues may have played a role in the crash.

Vision Loss

Vision loss alone does not disqualify a driver from operating a commercial vehicle. However, vision must be able to be corrected with prescription lenses.

A driver needs to have corrected vision of at least 20/40 in both eyes to qualify for a commercial driver’s license. If a driver is legally blind in even one eye, he or she will be ineligible to operate a commercial vehicle.

Hearing Loss

Significant hearing loss is another condition that could make a driver ineligible to operate a commercial vehicle. When submitting to a hearing test, the FMCSA requires that the ear with the greatest hearing cannot have hearing loss greater than 40 decibels. It is important to note that a hearing test can be administered with a hearing aid in place.

Diabetes

Drivers with a medical diagnosis of diabetes may be ineligible to operate a commercial vehicle. This is determined on a case by case basis.

If the individual is able to control blood sugar levels through oral medication and dietary restrictions, they can still qualify to drive a commercial truck. However, if a driver currently requires insulin to control diabetes, they will be considered ineligible.

Epilepsy

Individuals with diagnosed epilepsy or an established history of epileptic seizures, or any other medical condition known to cause episodes of unconsciousness, will be ineligible to drive a commercial vehicle.

If someone has a medical history of epilepsy, but has been seizure free for 10 years without the use of epilepsy medication, they may be eligible to operate a commercial vehicle.

Other Medical Conditions

In addition to the abovementioned conditions, any medical condition that physically limits a commercial truck driver or interferes with their ability to safely operate or control a commercial vehicle could be considered ineligible for a commercial vehicle license.

This may include respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or vascular conditions. The required medical examination is meant to preclude drivers with conditions such as these.

Learn More

Truck drivers who fail to report ineligible medical conditions put everyone on the road at risk. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be due financial compensation for your losses. To learn more about your legal options, contact the experienced attorneys at Charpentier Law Firm or call (321) 308-8020 to set up a case review.